Divorcing couples often don’t know what to expect from the process. What little they know about divorce may come from social media or movies. In other words, they may have a very dramatized, unrealistic expectation of the process. Divorce largely consists of numerous negotiation sessions punctuated by occasional court hearings. In some cases, spouses find ways to settle matters with one another so that they can proceed with an uncontested divorce in the Muskegon County family courts. Other times, spouses still disagree about key marital issues. They may assume that litigation is the only way to resolve those disagreements. However, mediation can lead to settlements that allow spouses to avoid litigation. While mediation can be a challenging process, it is ultimately beneficial for a large number of divorcing couples.
What are some of the reasons people commonly turn to mediation when they do not yet agree on how to handle the details of a divorce?
Mediation provides privacy
Divorce often involves making public disclosures about very personal matters. Spouses have to provide the courts with information about their assets and debts. They may have to testify about various forms of marital misconduct, including substance abuse and adultery. Making the details of a marriage part of the public record may not be the best decision for a family. Mediation is a confidential process under Michigan state statutes. Spouses have an opportunity to discuss very personal matters and how they believe those issues should impact the various disputes about the upcoming divorce.
Concerns about shared children
The longer the contention between spouses persists, the more damage the divorce may cause to their future relationship. In scenarios where spouses must co-parent after a divorce, litigation can be stressful for the whole family. Children may fear the possibility of testifying in court. Parents may be emotionally unavailable to their children because of the stress of the litigated divorce. Additionally, the conflict that the children witness between their parents can be very damaging. Mediation allows parents to settle matters in a private setting. They can reduce the overall amount of conflict and what their children witness in particular.
A desire for specific arrangements
People sometimes have highly-specific goals when they prepare for divorce. A dentist may want to preserve sole ownership of their professional practice. A stay-at-home parent may want to set specific custody terms. In cases where people adamantly believe that specific arrangements are necessary for them or their children, mediation can be a useful tool. They have the opportunity to compromise on other matters so that they can obtain the terms that matter the most to them in the divorce.
Although divorce mediation requires careful planning and difficult conversations, it can yield positive results for the entire family. Suggesting divorce mediation can be a reasonable option for spouses preparing for divorce in the Whitehall or greater Muskegon County area.
